Political Opinions

Doug Shipley Update

May 5, 2023 – On April 6th our community suffered a great loss with the sudden passing of Dr. Tim Henshaw. Those that were lucky enough to have crossed paths with Dr. Tim, would have experienced firsthand the kindness and joy he showed everyone. He was known around our community for his work advocating for dairy farmers, as well as his role as a trusted and beloved veterinarian. On top of his professional achievements, as a teacher, mentor, and leader in the farming industry, Dr. Tim shared his passion for dairy farming through his infamous online presence where his personality and knowledge shone through.

Dr. Tim was admired for his selflessness and willingness to give to others, and he could always be found with a smile on his face. The laughter and sense of humor he brought to every scenario will always be remembered. With many years dedicated to the dairy industry across the country and with the Simcoe Country Holstein Club, Dr. Tim will be remembered most for his outright kindness and compassion to all, people and animals alike.

My thoughts are with Dr. Tim’s family and many friends in the community at this time, he will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Sincerely, Doug Shipley, Member of Parliament, Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte

Doug Downey Update

Ontario Strengthening Supports to Combat Hate and Create Safer Communities

May 8, 2023 – The Ontario government is investing $25.5 million over two years to help address the rise of hate incidents against religious and minority groups. The new Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant will help faith-based and cultural organizations enhance or implement measures to ensure community spaces remain safe and secure.

The province has long believed that no Ontarian should live in fear that they will be targeted due to their background, who they love, or how they worship. This investment helps build on the province’s mandate to combat hate, and will help build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities where everyone has a safe environment to practice their faith and express their culture and beliefs.

The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant will provide up to $10,000 to help religious groups, Indigenous communities and cultural communities better protect and secure their facilities from hate-motivated incidents, graffiti, vandalism or other damage. Grant funding can be used for things such as building upgrades, enhancing locks, installing cameras, training staff, completing security assessments, introducing safer cybersecurity measures, hiring short-term professional security personnel and making repairs.

This grant helps to address the most targeted groups of hate crimes from recent years, including Indigenous, Black, Muslim, Jewish and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities. In 2021 alone, over 1,500 police-related hate crimes were reported in Ontario.

Since 2021, the government has allocated $40 million through the Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations. The redesigned Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant will now cover the cost of additional prevention and capacity building measures, and allows for more organizations to apply.

Eligible organizations include:

• Religious and spiritual communities (e.g., mosques, synagogues, temples, churches, etc.)
• First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous organizations
• Cultural groups (e.g., 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups, Black, Asian and other diverse organizations offering programs, workshops and ceremonies that promote their communities’ cultures)

Applications for the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant will open in summer 2023.

The Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations provided funding to more than 1,200 faith-based and cultural organizations to protect communities from hate. Ontario invested an additional $1.6 million in the Anti-Racism Anti-Hate grand to support 25 additional projects. Through this grant, the Province has supported a total of 82 community projects to increase public education and awareness through the impacts of racism and hate.

The Ontario government is investing more than $1.5 million through the 2022-2024 Safer and Vital Communities Grant program. This funding will help 17 community-based, not-for-profit organizations and First Nation Chiefs and Band Councils, support projects that prevent online hate crime, human trafficking and fraud.

Submitted by Keeraugh Robertson, Office of Doug Downey , MPP